Here we are at home!

The arrival of the Argentine pilgrimage to Schoenstatt from the Holy Land

Peregrinación de Argentina en Schoenstatt

Pilgrimage from Argentina in Schoenstatt

Wallfahrt aus Argentinien in Schönstatt

Simbolos de misión en el Santuario Original Symbols of the mission in the Original Shrine Zeichen der Sendung im Urheiligtum Fotos: Mateu © 2005
El grupo en la Oficina de Prensa The group visiting PressOffice Die Gruppe beim Besuch im PressOffice
Broche de oro: estar en Schoenstatt el 15 de septiembre Highlight: be in Schoenstatt on September 15 Highlight: am 15. September in Schönstatt sein
Corresponsales de Tucumán, Puerto Madryn y Rawson Correspondents from Tucumán, Puerto Madryn, and Rawson Mitarbeiter aus Tucumán, Puerto Madryn und Rawson
Corresponsales de Tucumán, Puerto Madryn y Rawson Correspondents from Tucumán, Puerto Madryn, and Rawson Mitarbeiter aus Tucumán, Puerto Madryn und Rawson

Early on September 14^th, they had Holy Mass in the Original Shrine, and it was a blessing to be present when a couple from Ituzaingo sealed their Covenant of Love and all of the others also renewed their Covenant. "It was a gift to be able to do it here in this place grace," commented Lilian Mateu in an email she sent to the Schoenstatt Family in Mendoza, who is preparing to celebrate the Silver Anniversary of the their Shrine. Of course she placed the symbol of the jubilee of the Mendoza Shrine on the altar of the Original Shrine. "We constantly think about it on our trip, all the family from Mendoza is traveling spiritually with us", she continued saying in her email to the family of Mendoza. And that is precisely what deeply sets the atmosphere of this pilgrimage: to make their respective places, shrines, waysides, families present in Schoenstatt through photos, letters, Pilgrim MTA’s, pictures and symbols, and besides sharing in the source of origin of the richness of life that surges from each of the Shrines and wayside shrines of their country.

The grace of being present in Schoenstatt on the 15^th of September

The Original Shrine, Father’s tomb, the different Shrines in Schoenstatt with their unique mission, Covenant House, Marienau, Sion, Moriah, Schulungsheim, visits to Metternich and a trip the Father Kentenich’s birthplace in Gymnich: This was the program of the pilgrimage in Schoenstatt, that was accompanied by Father Guillermo Carmona, National Director of the Movement in Argentina, and by Sister Maria Julia .One night, Father Angel Strada, who had recently arrived from Argentina, gave them a talk. Although the highlight of these days in Schoenstatt was undoubtedly the grace of being here on the 15^th of September, the anniversary of Father Kentenich’s death, and attending the Mass in the Adoration Church early in the morning, at the same time that Father departed to the Eternal Schoenstatt.

"What is new in Schoenstatt since we were last here in 2001?", askedAna and Oscar Capezio. "It is our Schoenstatt, it is so good to be here", said Eduardo Rodriguez Varela(I have no idea who is speaking to me – and if he is from Mendoza, unfortunately I don’t know his name!!!) "You experience peace, you sense the atmosphere of prayer…" They also visited Vallendar, Koblenz and Cologne, as part of their shopping tour that is always a part a pilgrimage to Germany. "Why is it that time passes so quickly in Schoenstatt? asked Marian Onni, from San Isidro. "It seems like we just arrived and it already time to leave, and why do we always want to stay longer?"

Together we travel the road towards the Father

They spoke enthusiastically about the fire of the youth during the Festival and the World Youth Day, that almost everyone followed closely through schoenstatt.de –whether or not their own children were in Schoenstatt – and they wanted to know even more.

Jorge and Lily Presas, from Puerto Madryn, along with other couples from Rawson, arrived to the Press Office bringing a photo of the Shrine at Rawson with them."At last, said Lily, and she added smiling, "In Puerto Madryn the Schoenstatters no longer greet each other by saying good day rather, they say, "have you read this or that on schoenstatt.de…?" For example, the youth pilgrimage from the wayside shrine in Concepcion del Uruguay to Pronunciamiento. "But believe me, it rained even more than what was said in the article!" commented Maria Elizabeth Rodriguez, who of course brought photos of Concepcion del Uruguay to make the family from her hometown present in Schoenstatt, it is a young family that is the midst of growth.

When the group left several photos of wayside shrines, groups, and families remained in the Original Shrine and on Father’s tomb.

Translation: Celina M Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA